Muzzle loading firearm



June 29, 1937. J. l.. LocKHEAD 2,085,031

MUZZLE LOADNG FIREARM Filed Oct. 21, 1955 Inventur' IDHTL L Lnckhead@kW/@M Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES FFHCE 1 Claim.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) The invention described hereinmay be manufactured and usedV by or for the Government for governmentalpurposes, without the paymentto me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a muzzle loading firearm particularly adaptedfor firing pyrotechnic signals and the like and is an improvement on thefirearm shown in Patent No. 1,747,057 of February ll, 1930 and PatentNo. 1,970,501 of August 14, 1934.

In the latter patent the cartridge is retained in the barrel by a latchthat must be hand fitted at assembly to provide perfect contact.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an arrangement of latch andframe whereby these elements may be cast and machine finished and stillbe interchangeable. This is accomplished by establishing an engagingsurface which is parallel to a diameter of the barrel and lock case ofthe frame. The formation of the engaging surface of the frame provides aslot for receiving the latch and. it also provides an opening in thebarrel foi` receiving the claw of the latch. The claw of the latch isformed by grooving the forward portion of the latch.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction,arrangement and combination of elements described hereinafter andpointed out in the claim forming a part of this specification.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, where- Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation withparts in o section of the improved firearm and showing a cartridgeloaded therein.

Fig. 2 is a View in rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevationof a portion of the frame.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views on the respective lines of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a View in elevation of the latch.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the line 'I--1 of Fig'. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the latch, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 9--9 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference there is shown apistol frame including a short muzzle loading barrel 5, a lock case B, abreech plate 1 between the barrel and lock case, and a grip 8.

A cut is made in one side of the frame to form a slot 9 (Fig. 3) forreceiving a latch I0 and to establish a seating surface I I for thelatch which is parallel to the vertical center line of the frame exceptfor its lower portion which is slightly curved as shown at I2 in Fig. 5.The cut extends through the rear portion of the barrel 5 and provides anaperture I3 in the barrel. The outer surface of the latch conforms tothe contour of the frame and the inner surface conforms to the seatingsurfaces II and I2.

A recess I4 is cut in the side wall of the lock case and is embracedwithin the length of the slot 9 but extends below the same. A pair ofeyes I5--I5 on the latch are disposed within the recess I4 and receive apivot pin I6 which is mounted in spaced longitudinally extendingpassages I'I-Il in the lock case 6. A spring I8 coiled on the pivot pinhas one end bearing against the grip 8 and the other end bearing againsta downwardly extending linger-piece I9 on the latch.

The forward portion of the latch is provided on its inner side with anarcuate groove 20 adapted to receive the rim '2I of a signal cartridge22. The provision of the groove establishes a claw 23 which isinsertable in the cannelure 24 of the cartridge. The inner face of theclaw is curved as at 25 to conform to the cylindrical contour of thecartridge and its front extremity is beveled as at 26.

The outer surface of the latch is flush with the frame when it is heldin normal cartridge-engaging position by the spring I6. When thecartridge case is inserted in the barrel the rim strikes the bevelededge 26 of the latch and moves it outwardly until the rim is oppositethe groove 20, at which time the claw 23 snaps into the cannelure 24.The cartridge case is now securely held in the loaded position. It isreleased by acting on the finger-piece of the latch.

By virtue of this construction the frame and latch may be cast andmachined to a finish. The parts are interchangeable and will not requirespecial hand fitting at assembly. The upper portion of the latch willhave close contact with the seating surface I I and the lower portionwill also have a good fit on the curved seating surface I2 because thelatter is close to the axis of rotation of the latch.

In a firearm, a, frame including a barrel and having a cut forming aslot to establish a seating surface whose major portion is parallel tothe vertical center line of the frame and whose lower portion is curved,said cut having sufficient depth to extend through the wall of thebarrel and provide an opening therein, a latch fitting in the slot andhaving a surface corresponding to the seating surface of the slot, meansfor pivotally mounting the latch in the frame with the axis of rotationclose to the curved seating portion, said latch having acartridgeengaging front portion extending through the opening in thebarrel when the latch is seated on the seating surface and a springnormally holding the latch on the seating surface.

JOHN L. LOCKHEAD.

